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Ugandan Premier League champions Vipers SC have secured the services of Manzoki Cesar Lobi for two years.

The striker had attracted interest from Olympic Club Beja of Tunisia and an unnamed Moroccan club after his contract with AS Vita had ended, but the Venoms moved faster to sign him.

“Congolese Manzoki Cesar Lobi has been cleared to play for Vipers, after agreeing to a two-year term for an undisclosed fee,” Vipers confirmed.

“Manzoki Lobi comes in weeks after South Sudanese Joseph Dhata put pen to paper.”

Viper have praised the Congolese's abilities as they hope he can excel at the club over the next two seasons.

“Lobi mainly plays as a striker but can drift towards the flanks and centre where he can receive the ball, turn and drive at the defenders fearlessly," the statement added.

“His first touch and passes are enviable and he boasts of an added advantage as a player who can shoot with both feet.”

The former Tout Puissant Mazembe striker revealed his personal targets for the four-time Premier League winners.

“I am so happy to be here,” he said in his first interview during the unveiling ceremony.

“I want to use this chance well. My dream is to become an important player for Vipers, I hope I can become a starter immediately and hope to win some trophies with my new team.

“I don’t regret this move because it took me time to make this decision to move here. I chose the best team out of the many clubs that were after me and I am proud of it.

“I hope I can push my career further. My goals are that simple.”

Lobi spent three years at AS Vita where he featured in 58 matches and went on to score 38 goals. His time at AS Vita’s big domestic rivals TP Mazembe saw him score 12 goals in 21 games from 2016 to 2017.

The centre-forward launched his career when he started playing for Dauphin Noir De Goma for five seasons in the top-flight. Lobi has international experience too as he has scored three goals for the national side.

As Vipers shift their focus to the Caf Champions League, Lobi’s services might come in handy given he has scored six goals in nine games of the competition. In the Confederation Cup, the striker has featured in 12 games.

Tusker FC have confirmed the signing of former Gor Mahia defender Wellington Ochieng'.

The 11-time champions have been strengthening for the new season aiming at challenging for the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Premier League title. It is for this reason they have decided to bring onboard players who can help them challenge for the trophy.

"Ochieng' is now our player, he signed with us yesterday [Thursday]," Tusker FC chairman Daniel Aduda told Goal on Friday.

"He is an experienced player who will give us much-needed experience at the back. Ochieng' is also versatile and I believe he will be a valuable asset to the team."

The former Muhoroni Youth player was released alongside Edwin Lavatsa a couple of weeks ago.

The defender becomes the third player the Ruaraka-based side have signed in the transfer window. It started with experienced centre-back Eugene Asike extending his stay at the club by one year. Goalkeeper Robert Mboya also extended his stay at the club by another season as well.

Christopher Oruchum was the first signing for the former champions from the 13-time champions AFC Leopards.

"One of the things that motivated me to sign for Tusker is that Tusker is one of the biggest clubs in Kenya whereby we stand a chance to be exposed to big teams in Africa and outside the country," the defender said after completing the move.

"Having joined a team that was high-flying the previous season, I hope and pray that I will also add something and also help the team to achieve more than they achieved last season.  

"There was a time I was really close to signing for Tusker when I was at Thika United but the deal did not materialize then I ended up going to AFC Leopards, then from there I have the chance again of joining this great club, which I have longed to play for."  

Kevin Monyi is another player who has been signed by the Brewers on a two-year contract as well.

Monyi comes to help strengthen the whole playing unit for the local heavyweights, who last won a trophy four seasons ago.

Since then they have been chasing the league trophy unsuccessfully as Gor Mahia have won them in the subsequent seasons, and have sparingly participated in the domestic cup tournament.

The Spanish centerback Sergio Ramos was voted as one of the two "best center-backs in the world" beating out Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk and becoming the third player to cement his position in the Goal's Top eleven powered by FIFA 21 as we attempt to identify who you think are the best footballers around the world.

Ramos led the table with 59% of the votes (+21275) beating out the only close competitior Virgil van Dijk who ended up with 35% of the votes (+12900) followed by Leonardo Bonucci, Dayot Upamecano and Raphael Varane ending up with 928, 734 and 696 votes respectively. 

Stay tuned to this space as we ask for your help to identify the best left center-back soon.

Terengganu FC head coach Nafuzi Zain has paid tribute to his former boss at the club, Irfan Bakti Abu Salim after taking the club to a third-place finish in the Malaysia Super League this season.

The former had been an assistant head coach at the club while the latter was the head coach, from 2017. When the veteran coach vacated the post midway through the 2019 season, Nafuzi took over temporarily, before he was appointed on a permanent basis ahead of the 2020 season.

Nafuzi credited his former boss for guiding him as a young trainer at the club.

"I am where I am now at Terengganu, from our days of winning promotion in the 2018 Premier League, due to my time with him.

"It's all because of his contributions while I was his assistant since 2017, up to 2019 when he stepped down. He took me to the Super League. Before he stepped down, Irfan stated his belief that I would be able to guide the team, and that's how I got the chance to lead Terengganu.

"If not for the opportunities provided by him, my career would not have taken off," explained the 42-year coach in an interview with the Malaysian Football League.

Nafuzi Zain. Photo by Sports Regime

Orlando Pirates coach Josef Zinnbauer says it's Amakhosi and not his side who are under pressure for Saturday's MTN8 semi-final encounter at the Orlando Stadium.

The first leg game kicks off at 15:00 and will be followed by the return match next week Sunday, November 8.

For both sides, the MTN8 is a chance to end a long trophy drought - for Pirates that extends to six years and for Chiefs it's five years.

Speaking to the media ahead of the game, Zinnbauer, now going into his second season with Bucs, tried to play down the weight of expectation and hoped to flip that onto Amakhosi.

“We are not the favourites," he said. "We have no pressure, Kaizer Chiefs have the pressure in this game.

"But we do our best, we have to win the game it’s important for us it’s the derby and it’s a big chance you can win a cup."

It's not entirely clear though why he feels this way. For one thing, Zinnbauer has had substantially longer than his opposite number, Gavin Hunt, to work with his team.

He's also had the benefit of bringing in a number of quality players during the transfer window, while the Glamour Boys are in the middle of a transfer ban.

And Pirates fans are no less expectant than their Glamour Boys rivals. So perhaps Zinnbauer should be feeling pressure, or maybe it's just mind games that he is playing.

And indeed Hunt has gone for the same approach in his pre-match comments:

“My opinion is that they [Pirates] are big favourites for the league title," he said. "They have built a good squad.

"They have a lot of players whom I know and obviously worked with [some of the former Bidvest Wits players which Bucs have signed]. So they have a very good squad of players.

"Pirates are much stronger than they were last season. I know what is ahead of us so we look forward to the game."

New Bidco United signing Noah Wafula has tipped the club to excel in the FKF Premier League set to kick off in November.

The Thika-based club earned promotion to the top-flight after the lower-tier National Super League (NSL) was prematurely ended owing to the effects caused by the coronavirus in mid-March.

The former AFC Leopards, Tusker and Kakamega Homeboyz striker, who is among the experienced players roped in by the club in the ongoing transfer window, is now confident they are well motivated to take up any challenge in the league but will take it one game at a time.

“Bidco United is not a small team as many would look at it,” Wafula revealed as quoted by the club’s social media pages. “Bidco United is a big team, that is very motivated to do well in the top-flight, especially after earning promotion after a very long time.

“I don’t want to say that we will win all the games but what I now our plan is to take it a game at a time.”

His sentiments come just two days after another new signing Stephen Waruru said they have what it takes to mix with the “big boys’ in the FKF Premier League.

“There’s no newbie in football, we all talk one language,” Waruru said as quoted by the club’s social media pages. “This may be our maiden season in the league but everyone in the team is motivated to face any challenge that comes our way.”

On how he feels after signing for Bidco United, Waruru explained: “I feel I am in the best team in the league, a team that is focused and has all to play for in the league. It feels great to be part of this team.”

Apart from Wafula and Waruru, other experienced players signed by the team are former Wazito FC striker Pistone Mutamba, former Zoo FC defender Wilson Anekeya, Luke Ochieng from Western Stima, Brian Opondo from Kariobangi Sharks, veteran Dennis Monda, former Nzoia Sugar forward Batts Awita, Anthony Gathu, who was with Murang'a Seal, goalkeeper Edwin Mukolwe from Wazito FC, and Victor Ayugi of KCB.

In a recent interview, Bidco United coach Anthony Akhulia revealed he had opted to go for experienced players since the squad which helped him to earn promotion is composed of relatively young players yet to compete at the top.

“The squad that won us promotion to the top-tier is a relatively young group of players,” Akhulia was quoted by the club’s social media pages.

“None of them has played in the top-tier before, and as such, we needed to bring in a couple of experienced players to make the team complete.”

On how prepared they are for the new season, Akhulia said: “It’s our maiden season in the top-flight and our target is to maintain consistency in the top-tier, and over time, we can be able to challenge for silverware.”

Bidco United will make their debut in the 2020-21 top-tier season with an away trip on Sunday, November 22 where they will play hosts Posta Rangers, then host 13-time league champions AFC Leopards at Kinoru Stadium on Sunday, November 28. 

Four-time champions Ulinzi Stars will then entertain Bidco at Afraha Stadium on Saturday, December 5. The latter will then have the privilege of hosting Tusker FC four days later at Kinoru Stadium.

The Anthony Akhulia-led charges will then complete their fifth round in the FKF Premier League with a game against Gor Mahia at Kinoru Stadium on Sunday, December 13.

Nice head coach Patrick Vieira has paid tribute to the victims of a suspected terrorist attack in the French city that left three dead inside a Catholic church on Thursday.

His side later played Hapoel Be’er Sheva in a Europa League clash, taking the three points thanks to an Amine Gouiri goal.

Although their prospects of reaching the knockout stages of the competitions remain strong after the victory, Vieira admitted that it was not what he and his players had on their minds after a second attack on the city, following the deaths of 87 people during an incident on Bastille Day four years ago.

“Football is obviously secondary tonight,” he tweeted. “But it was important for us to play and to win in order to pay homage to our city, which has once again been touched by drama. Sincere thoughts with the victims, their families and those close to them. We will not forget them.”

Meanwhile, he also spoke of the incident during his press conference.

“Speaking about football is very difficult,” he said. “We think of the families of the victims, of all those citizens of Nice who are suffering and in mourning. Talking about football after the attack is very difficult.”

Nice captain Dante added: “It was a unique, sad context. Of course we spoke about it between ourselves. We had planned not to celebrate the goal too much.

“We are, every one of us in the squad, very touched by this. It has hurt us.

“On behalf of the squad, we send our condolences to the affect families. Football comes as an afterthought, even if it is our job. We were very affected by it and it’s good to end this day with a victory.”

Meanwhile, the prefecture of police revealed that they had planned on cancelling the match only to perform a U-turn.

“We had to show that we are still standing,” president Jean-Pierre Rivere explained. “This match had to take place, not for the football itself, but for the symbolism of it. We cannot get down on the ground. Yes, it’s only a match and people might say: ‘Why are they playing a football match?’ We played it precisely because it was symbolic. Playing it was like saying: ‘We’re still standing.’”

Kaizer Chiefs coach Gavin Hunt is mixing optimism with caution ahead of Saturday's MTN8 semi-final first leg showdown with arch-rivals Orlando Pirates at the Orlando Stadium.

Hunt has been with Chiefs for about a month, having replaced former coach Ernst Middendorp.

Middendorp and his predecessors Steve Komphela and Giovanni Solinas both failed to help the club win silverware and its now five years since Amakhosi last tasted glory - when they won the league in 2014/15 under Stuart Baxter.

Hunt admitted that he's eyeing success in the MTN8 as a means to settle in and build confidence - not only for himself but for his players.

But he's also pragmatic enough to know that it's not easy to hit the ground running and immediately get the players to buy into his footballing philosophies.

"It’s a great opportunity to get yourself in a cup final so early in a season‚ which I always think helps with momentum going forward‚” Hunt was quoted saying by Businesslive.

“The good thing is we’ve got two games in the semifinal‚ in a home and away situation.

“But I mean‚ for us‚ for me‚ being new at the club it’s just about trying to find out about the players a bit more every day‚ every game. And trying to find a way of playing that suits the players more. That’s the most important.

“You know‚ I can’t come in here and just bash the door down. We’ve got to try and find a way that suits what we’ve got‚ and try and take it a step forward every time.”

Hunt has arrived at Amakhosi in the middle of a transfer ban, which has made his task all the harder.

With that in mind, he has tempered expectations to an extent.

“Obviously the magnitude of the club is huge and they expect to win trophies on a regular basis‚” he admitted. “But you’ve also got to look at a lot of things. Why they have been five seasons [without winning a trophy].

"I already know what we need and don’t need. But that can only come out on the training ground working with the players‚ and try to improve the squad we’ve got and take it from there.

“So ja‚ anybody in their right mind wouldn’t not want to make it to a final and try and take it one step further. But sometimes it takes a little bit longer.”

Manchester United midfielder Scott McTominay has paid tribute to team-mate Donny van de Beek, despite the summer recruit struggling to break into the starting XI.

The £35 million ($45m) addition from Ajax has started only a couple of matches for his new side since arriving at Old Trafford but did feature in the 5-0 Champions League win over RB Leipzig in midweek.

He was given the nod ahead of Scotland international McTominay, and the academy graduate sees him as a worthy addition to the squad.

“Donny van de Beek is a great lad and a brilliant football player,” McTominay told United Review. “I'm sure, the way he is working in training and how hard he's working, his time will definitely come to get more minutes on the pitch.

“I spoke to him a little bit and he's a top kid. The way he applies himself every day, he is never late - always on time - and always trains to his absolute maximum. We have got a really, really good player and really good person there.”

Meanwhile, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side are blessed with numerous options in midfield, with the combination of McTominay and Fred winning much praise for the way they have dovetailed in defensive positions. McTominay, though, pointed out that the depth is formidable.

“I feel like obviously Fred is a terrific player but we've got Nemanja Matic, we've got Paul Pogba,” he said. “Phew, there are endless options in midfield really. We can play Bruno Fernandes in midfield.

“With regards to the players we've got in midfield, Nemanja is so experienced and I feel comfortable playing with him, but I am comfortable playing with every single one of them. I am sure they would all say that and it can only bode well for us going forward.”

While United have made a quick start on the continent, also beating Paris Saint-Germain, their form domestically has been less impressive and they lie 15th in the Premier League standings, albeit with a game in hand to play over many of their rivals. Their next test comes on Sunday, when they play host to Arsenal.

Kenya U20 coach Stanley Okumbi has named the squad for the upcoming Cecafa U20 Championships, to be played between November 22 and December 6 in Tanzania.

The team largely comprises of players who featured for the Kenya U17 team at the 2019 Africa U17 Cup of Nations qualifiers, and the Union of North African Federations (Unaf) U17 tournament in Egypt in 2019.

Among them are Maxwell Mulili, Bixente Otieno, Boniface Mwangemi, Alphonse Omija, Nicholas Omondi, Keith Imbali, Telvin Maina, and Arnold Onyango.

Chapa Dimba na Safaricom hotshots Enoch Wanyama and Benson Omala have also been included in the team. The Rising Stars have been pooled in Group C of the tournament alongside Ethiopia and Sudan.

Group A is comprised of hosts Tanzania, Rwanda, Somalia, and Djibouti, while Group B will have Burundi, Eritrea, South Sudan, and Uganda.

The top teams in each of the three groups will proceed to the tournament’s semi-finals, alongside the best runner-up.

Initially, there were doubts about whether the qualifiers would be played owing to the Covid-19 pandemic. However, a recent meeting by member associations unanimously agreed the matches should continue.

“During the Cecafa Executive Committee meeting held in Arusha on Saturday 10th October 2020, the decision to go ahead with the U17 and U20 Afcon Qualifiers was reached,” Cecafa confirmed in a statement obtained by Goal.

In the Cecafa region, Tanzanian football has been ongoing since June 13 while Uganda is set to start the 2020/21 season in early November, while Kenya has a proposal to start the season from November 20 after the games were postponed in mid-March.

Rising Stars Squad; Goalkeepers; Maxwell Mulili (AFC Leopards), Bixente Otieno (Wazito), Elvis Ochieng (City Stars).

Defenders: Boniface Mwangemi (Kariobangi Sharks), Omar Somobwana (AFC Leopards), Joseph Levin (Naivas), Wardfine Akhatsika (Chebuyusi High School), Kelvin Mose (Uweza), Alphonse Omija (Gor Mahia), Frank Odhiambo (Gor Mahia), Lewis Bandi (AFC Leopards), Fredrick Alushula (Kariobangi Sharks), Rolland Ashimoto (Kakamega High School), Steiner Musasia (Talanta), Nicholas Omondi (Gor Mahia), Keith Imbali (Gor Mahia Youth).

Midfielders: Enoch Wanyama (Ligi Ndogo), Ronald Reagan (Kariobangi Sharks), Alphonse Washe (Bandari), Hamid Mohammed (Bandari), Danson Kiprono (Zoo), Ian Simiyu (Nzoia Sugar), Austine Odhiambo (AFC Leopards), Mwakio Kisaka (Riruta United), Timothy Ouma (Nairobi City Stars), Telvin Maina (Kisumu All-Stars), Arnold Onyango (USA).

Forwards: Benson Omala (Gor Mahia), Henry Meja (Tusker), Stephen Otieno (Bongonaya), Kappen Samuel (Liberty), Sellasie Otieno (Nzoia Sugar), Unaiz Shajani (Starfield Elite FC).

Simba SC will bounce back and win the Mainland Premier League title for the fourth season in a row, Haji Manara believes.

According to the club’s media officer, what the team has gone through in recent weeks, losing back-to-back matches against Tanzania Prisons and Ruvu Shooting, – is part of football and “which makes the game interesting.”

“Simba is still my club, Simba is still my team for life, I don’t have any other team than Simba, my friends and fans, they know what Simba can do, I cannot stop supporting them now because I know, they are going to bounce back like Simba,” Manara wrote on his social media pages.

“We will bounce back, this is Simba, it happens in football, they are challenges every champion faces in their respective leagues, all teams must pass through what we are going through now.

“I want to ask Simba fans to stay calm and keep the support, we will do it again, we will bounce back, we will retain the title.”

On Thursday, Simba confirmed they had parted ways with Muharami Mohamed and Patrick Rweyemamu, who were serving as the club's goalkeeping coach and team manager, respectively.

The defeat against Shooting saw Simba surrender third spot in the 18-team table as they dropped to fourth while their rivals Young Africans (Yanga SC), who are still unbeaten, moved to second, behind table-toppers Azam FC.

The two defeats left Simba coach Sven Vandenbroeck scratching his head and even went ahead to apologise to the fans and also promised a quick comeback in their next league match.

"First of all, I want to apologise for the two losses in a row to the Simba family and it is very hard for us to digest," Vandenbroeck stated, "If you look at the game, we missed some aggressiveness in the first half which was not our usual level of play.

"The second half was much better as we took some risks but in total, we were not efficient enough to take good results today [Monday]. It hurts all of us.

"At this point, it is very difficult to point out what is the problem and if I have to analyse everything, it is something which I cannot share with the members of the media.

"According to the way we pushed in the second half, I do not think match fitness is the problem to point at. I think the question is what we have available in the striking position which made me play with a false number nine."

Simba will next face Mwadui FC at Uhuru Stadium on Saturday.

Bakary Kone wants to be the best player in the Indian Super League (ISL) and win the championship with Kerala Blasters. 

The former Lyon defender has set out long-term objectives ahead of his debut in Indian football. In an interview to Goal , the Coupe de France winner said, "My long-term objective in India is to become one of the best players in the league and also to bring a title to Kerala Blasters.

"I won the Coupe de France with Lyon and I would like to do the same in India for sure."

The 32-year-old defender's most notable displays were during his time with French giants Lyon for five years from 2011. The Burkina Faso international faced off against the likes of  Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Edinson Cavani and won the Coupe De France and Trophee Des Champions during his time in France.

Lyon was also runners-up of Ligue 1 in the 2014-15 and 2015-16 season. The resilient defender also has the experience of playing in the UEFA Champions League and the Europa League.

"My best memory at Lyon was playing my first Champions League game against Rubin Kazan. For me, it was an amazing experience. Because when you play Champions League, you play at the top level."

Not many players from Burkina Faso has come to India to play football. Kone is the second from his country to join an ISL club after Saidou Panandétiguiri who turned out for Pune City in 2014.

"I am really proud to be one of the first Burkino Faso footballers to play in India (in the ISL). I hope that I will open the doors for many other players. It is important to adapt to conditions, I happy to know something new."

Kone will also have to adapt to playing behind closed doors in the seventh season of ISL which is set to begin on November 20 in Goa. 

"I am sad to play in an empty stadium but we have to adapt. It is like this all over the world. When you play in front of fans, they give you extra energy and that can change the game." 

Blasters have been part of the ISL since 2014 but are yet to win a trophy. With an experienced player like Kone in the ranks, the Yellow Army will be hopeful of landing a title soon. 

East Bengal have signed several quality foreign players this season under the guidance of head coach Robbie Fowler. East Bengal are set to make their debut in the seventh season of the Indian Super League (ISL).

Fowler handpicked some quality names who have experience of playing at the highest level. One such name who has joined the Red and Golds is former Scotland international defender Daniel Fox.

Here is all you need to know about East Bengal’s new recruit Danny Fox.

Senior debut

After graduating from the Everton’s academy, Fox was handed a full-time contract by the Toffees in 2004 but the young defender failed to get any game time. Hence he was sent on loan to Scottish Second Division side Stranraer FC before joining League Two side Walsall FC in 2005. He spent three seasons at Walsall before heading to Coventry City where he played under the tutelage of former Wales national team manager Chris Coleman.

Scottish Premiership, Premier League and European experience

The defender joined Scottish giants Celtic FC ahead of 2009-10 season. He played 15 matches in the Scottish Premiership as his side finished second behind champions and bitter rivals Rangers FC. He had also gained European experience during his time with Celtic. He played against Arsenal in UEFA Champions League qualifying game which Celtic lost and appeared in four games in the group stages of Europa League.

After just six months in Scotland, during the January transfer window, Fox had moved to the Premier League to join Burnley on a three and a half year contract. The East Bengal defender scored and assisted on league debut as Burnley defeated West Ham United 2-1.

The next two seasons, he had to play in the Championship as Burnley got relegated after the 2009-10 season. In 2011, the defender moved to fellow Championship side Southampton for an undisclosed fee. The Saints gained promotion in the subsequent year and Fox was back in the Premier League in 2012-13 season. During that campaign, Fox appeared in 20 Premier League games and had managed to score just one goal which came against Arsenal.

International football

The defender represented England at the U21 level but later decided to play for Scotland's national team. He had qualified to represent the Scots through his grandfather’s Scottish connections. Fox made his debut in an international friendly against Wales in 2009 which Scotland lost 0-3. He again got a call from the national team in 2012 ahead of the 2014 World Cup qualifiers. He played three matches in total at that time which included a friendly match against Australia which they won and two qualification games against Wales and Belgium which Scotland lost.

Last Stint

Fox played for Wigan Athletic in the Championship during the 2019-20 season. He continued his association with the club this season as well. He had signed a short-term deal at the beginning of the 2020-21 season but after playing just two matches in the League One, the defender decided to mutually terminate his contract with the Latics to join the Red and Golds.

He is only 18 years old, but forward Luqman Hakim Shamsudin has already recorded his name in the Malaysian football history books.

Last weekend, he became the first Malaysian footballer to play in a European top league, coming on as a second half substitute for his club KV Kortrijk in their 3-1 Belgian First Division A defeat to RSC Anderlecht. Although he did not score in his debut, the Mokhtar Dahari Academy graduate was involved in the movement that led to De Kerels being awarded a late penalty, for their consolation goal against former Manchester City star Vincent Kompany's charges.

The Kota Bharu, Kelantan-born lad however had scored goals, two for their U-21 team, and one for the first team in a friendly match.

In subsequent interviews published by the club, Luqman expressed his gratitude for the chance to make his official debut, while vowing to keep on improving.

"I'm happy to have made my debut in Europe. We lost 3-1 but it's okay, we'll try again and won't give up. He (Kortrijk manager Yves Vanderhaeghe) told me 'do your best and give everything you have'. He believed in me and gave me a chance to play.

"Europe is very different and tough, very tough for me. I must never give up, I have to believe in myself and give everything. 

"I'm always training and pushing myself because I want to achieve my dream. I want my country to be proud of me, as Malaysians are always happy for me. I hope they keep on supporting me no matter what, because I'm here to give my best for Malaysian fans and the fans in Belgium too," explained the 2018 AFC U-16 Championship joint top-scorer.

Barcelona and U.S. men's national team fullback Sergino Dest admitted he was star-struck the first time he met Lionel Messi as the American defender also revealed he believes his club can go on to compete on several fronts this year.

Dest joined Barcelona from Ajax this summer, reportedly turning down Bayern Munich in the process.

The defender is a long-time admirer of Barca, and Messi in particular, as he now calls the Argentine his teammate

Speaking to CBS Sports, Dest admitted that he was a little starstruck the first time he met the Barcelona icon, but he also says he is beginning to feel comfortable playing alongside him.

"It's unbelievable. The first time I saw him, he was in the gym, I came in and looked to the right and I saw him. My face lit up like, 'Wow, that's Lionel Messi next to me'," he said.

"It's special. To play with him, to pass him the ball, to get the ball from him, it's really special to play with the best player in the world."

He added: "[Barca is]the biggest club in the world. It was my dream club. My dream came true.

"I felt like I had options to play here, for playing time with a Dutch coach. I know him because he wanted me with the Dutch national team.

"We talked and I had a good feeling with this club, especially because they created and are starting a new project with young players. This will be a perfect experience for me."

The young American has high hopes for his time at Barca, even if he's still learning how to communicate with his new teammate Messi. 

Dest says he is currently taking Spanish classes and plans to learn Catalan as he continues to adjust to life with Barcelona.

And, despite a recent setback in El Clasico, Dest believes that Barca is a team that can compete for titles both now and in the future.

He also has similar hopes for the USMNT, as Dest believes that the next year can be a big one for both his club and his country.

"I want to develop myself really well and of course I want to achieve big things with the club," he said. "I want to win the Champions League, La Liga, the cup.

"For the U.S., we have qualifiers in the summer. Qualifiers or Gold Cup, I'm not sure, but I want to win every single game with the U.S. and then qualify for the 2022 World Cup. I

"t's important for all of us and, for me, I want to play in a World Cup."

Dest is expected to be a part of the USMNT that gathers for November's friendly against Wales.

Before that, though, he'll continue to continue his acclimation with Barca as the Spanish giants face matches in La Liga and in the Champions League, but the defender says he's really excited to continue to grow alongside a young, talented USMNT squad.

"Everybody is really hungry for opportunities. Everybody wants to make the U.S. great," he said. 

"For me, personally, I work really hard and I want to reach my full potential, not only for myself but also for the country. I want to achieve big things with the U.S., and I think we have a good generation coming up.

"Hopefully, everybody is doing the same and working hard. Hopefully, we can achieve something nice, hopefully. in 2022, but definitely in 2026."

Kalidou Koulibaly insisted he loved Napoli, but said "we'll see what happens" amid speculation over his future.

Koulibaly, 29, has regularly been linked with a move away from the Serie A side, with Liverpool among the Premier League suitors reportedly interested in the defender.

The Senegal centre-back is contracted at Napoli until 2023, with the club being able to keep hold of the defender despite the frequent links with a big-money move.

 Following Thursday's 1-0 Europa League win over Real Sociedad, the defender acknowledged the interest in him, but he added that he loves the Italian club despite all of the interest abroad.

"I love Naples and Naples loves me, that's the most important thing," Koulibaly said via Sky Sports.

"I always make myself available game after game, I still have three years of contract, I'm calm, the teams are looking for me but I'm still here.

"I play at my level and I help this team and these people because I want to give something back to them then we'll see what happens."

After dealing with injuries last season, Koulibaly played his fewest minutes in a league campaign for Napoli since arriving from Genk in 2014.

Koulibaly, whose Napoli are second in the Serie A table through five games this campaign, said it was a tough 2019-20 season.

"I had a more difficult season even if I didn't do badly but we know the level I have and we knew I could give more," he said. 

"This year the coach told me that it mattered a lot about me because I have to help the team and I had to get back to my level. He simply told me the truth and told me to my face and I went to work and available to everyone and today we see the result,

"But we must be aware that the season is still long and there are many games where we need to maintain this level."

Napoli currently sit second in their Europa League group, with AZ Alkmaar currently leading the way with two wins from two games.

The Italian side will host Sassuolo this Sunday as they look to keep pace with AC Milan atop Serie A before then visiting Croatian side HNK Rijeka in their third Europa League group stage match. 

Folarin Balogun feels ‘great’ to play his first game for Arsenal’s first team in Thursday’s 3-0 Europa League defeat of Dundalk.

With victory already guaranteed against the League of Ireland Premier Division side, the 19-year-old forward replaced Eddie Nketiah with 16 minutes left to play.

In the process, Balogun became the 876th player to represent the Emirates Stadium giants in a first team outing.

Despite playing for limited time, the Anglo-Nigerian showed flashes of brilliance that threw football fans into frenzy on social media.

“It feels great. It's a moment I have been waiting for a little while so to finally get it feels great,” he told Arsenal website.

“I can only thank Mikel [Arteta] and the staff for this opportunity and I look forward to doing it more often.

“It's been tough, I've been at a few other clubs doing trials and stuff like that, but I've been working my way through the academy and I think as time has gone on I've become a better player.

“I think that's shown in my performances and I think it's good now to get the recognition that my performances deserve.”

He also revealed what he felt when manager Mikel Arteta told him he was going onto the pitch, while giving a hint of what the fans should expect from him.

“Loads of emotions really,” he continued. “I knew that this was the moment I'd been waiting for but at the same time I knew there was a job that needed to be done.

“So I just tried to come on, make runs, be a nuisance and just help the team.”

Folarin added: “They are going to see lots of energy, and I'd like to say lots of goals.

“But yeah, I think I'd like to carry my performances from the youth team into the first team. That's what got me here so it's important I carry on playing the way I do.”

Meanwhile, Joe Willock gave an assessment of the Nigeria prospect while disclosing the advice he gave to him.

"I thought he did well," Willock told Arsenal website. "It's never easy coming on for such a big team and making your debut.

"I thought he did well, he's scoring a lot of goals in the under-23s and that's all he can do.

“I'm happy for him and I congratulated him because I was once in that position. I told him to kick on, keep working hard and that he'd get more opportunities at this club."